A Deadly Mix of Drunk Driving and Pokémon Go Leads to the Loss of a Young Boy's Life

November 06, 2016

A Deadly Mix of Drunk Driving and Pokémon Go Leads to the Loss of a Young Boy's Life

Drunk driving accidents continue to occur despite our best efforts to reduce or eliminate the incidence of drunk driving. Accidents involving distracted driving or distracted bystanders has been on the rise as both drivers and pedestrians alike turn to their phones to send a text message, play a game, post a photo, or send a status update, among others. When you combine both drunk driving with distracted behavior, there are potentially fatal consequences.

14-Year-Old Michigan Boy Loses His Life

A high school freshman boy has suffered a fate that nobody wants to see – he lost his life at the hands of a drunk driver. As the teenager was walking on the sidewalk with some friends, he briefly left the sidewalk to catch a Pokémon in the street while playing the game, "Pokémon Go." According to the news report, as the teenager was walking back onto the sidewalk, he was struck by a motorcycle driven by a 24-year-old man. The young man had a blood alcohol content of .14, almost twice the legal limit of .08, which is the law in most states. The boy suffered fatal injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene.

Many people may place some blame on the teenager for playing Pokémon Go while walking in the street. However, this accident may have happened even if the teenager was not playing on his phone. The boy could have gone into the street to pick up a ball, or to simply run to the other side. Whatever the reason may be, it is difficult to avoid an accident if a pedestrian is in the path of a drunk driver.

Lessons Learned

In hindsight, had the teenager never left the sidewalk to catch a Pokémon in the street, perhaps he would not have been struck by the drunk motorcyclist as he was getting back onto the sidewalk. But, it is always easy to look back and say you would have or should have done something differently. A lesson that can be taken away from this tragic situation is that all people, children and adults alike, should be aware of their surroundings when walking down the street, always looking both ways before entering or crossing a street.

Additionally, it goes without saying that drivers should avoid playing Pokémon Go while driving, or carrying out any other distracting activity while behind the wheel. While it was a drunk motorcyclist who struck the teenage boy, it could have easily been a distracted driver. In fact, distracted driving accidents have proven to be just as deadly as drunk driving accidents.

If you or a loved one has suffered injuries after being involved in any auto accident and you believe someone else may be responsible for your injuries or the death of a loved one, it may be time to consider discussing your situation with a qualified Georgia Car Accident Attorney. With more than thirty-two years of professional experience, Montlick & Associates dedicates its practice to helping those who have been injured after being involved in an accident.

If you would like to speak with one of our Georgia Car Accident Attorneys about the injuries you or a loved one suffered, contact Montlick & Associates, Attorneys at Law today by calling (800) LAW-NEED (529-6333) to schedule your free consultation. You may also visit us online at www.montlick.com to complete a Free Case Evaluation Form, and you may also participate in a 24-hour Live Online Chat.

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Please Note:Many of our blog articles discuss the law. All information provided about the law is very general in nature and should not be relied upon as legal advice. Every situation is different, and should be analyzed by a lawyer who can provide individualized advice based on the facts involved in your unique situation, and a consideration of all of the nuances of the statutes and case law that apply at the time.